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- Destinations
- Europe
- France
- Bordeaux
- Vieux Bordeaux
Vieux Bordeaux
Vieux Bordeaux (old town) centres on the Quartier St-Pierre
,which is surrounded by narrow streets, and lined with old
churches and grand mansions adorned by wrought-iron balconies and
arcading. There has been a lot of restoration over the last few
years, but many streets remain fairly seedy. One of the most
opulent displays of Bordeaux's former glory is the Grand Theatre.
It was built between 1773 and 1780 on the site of a Roman temple
and is faced with an enormous colonnaded portico topped by 12 Muses
and Graces. Visitors can view the impressive interior by attending
one of the operas or ballets.
Nearby is the Esplanade des Quinconces, which was laid out
between 1818 and 1828 and covers nearly 12 hectares (30 acres),
making it the largest square of its kind in Europe. A smaller but
more beautiful square is the earlier Place de la Bourse. Its
centrepiece is a fountain of the Three Graces and is bordered by
quays opening onto the river and flanked by the Custom House and
the Stock Exchange. Crossing the river is the impressive Pont de
Pierre, which was built during Napoleon's Spanish campaigns, and
has 17 arches in honour of his victories. The views of the river
and quays from here are memorable, particularly when floodlit at
night.
Important churches include the delightful Basilique St-Michel,
across from which is the Fleche St-Michel, which has the tallest
stone tower in France; it was built in 1472 and is 374 feet (114m)
high. During July and August (afternoons only) visitors can climb
the 228 steps for wonderful views over the river. To the west is
the 13th-century Cathédrale St-André, the most impressive and
ostentatious church in Bordeaux (look out for the wonderful
sculptures in the doors).
The city's museums are gathered around the cathedral, the best
being the Musée des Beaux-Arts, which has a fine collection of
European art including works by Reynolds, Titian, Rubens, Matisse
and Marquet, a resident of the city. The old town is fairly compact
and is best seen on foot; two-hour walking tours can be arranged
through the local tourist office. Boat tours can also be
arranged.
Information & Facts
Language
French is the official language.
Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency in France. Currency can
be exchanged at banks, bureaux de change and some large hotels,
though you will get a better exchange rate at the ATMs. Major
credit cards are widely accepted, as are travellers cheques,
particularly in major tourist destinations. Foreign currency is not
accepted.
Time
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 between last Sunday in March and
last Sunday in October).